Outside the Bones by Lyn Di Iorio

Outside the Bones written by Lyn Di Iorio deals with witchcraft. the book explores mysterious dark world of Palo Monte, an African - Caribbean religious magical belief system. The novel takes place in New York City and the main character of the book is Fina, who is a loud, street toughened but heart tendered person.She is very known for doing witchcraft, and when she is in love with her upstairs neighbor Chico, it leads her into putting a spell on him. Upon the casting of the spell, Chico gets sick, but not love sick. While recovering from the sickness, two rivals of him shows up: one who claims to be his daughter and another who was his girlfriend. Fina is kind of confused when Hilesca claims to be him daughter because of the sexual acts she does to Chico such as sitting on his lap, kissing him on the lips, and seducing him in bed. Motrtified, Fina asks Palero Tata Victor to to do a major spell on Chico.
What I found very interesting while reading the book is that you can take the bones and skull of an evil or murdered person, put them in a cauldron along with sticks and it will turn into a spirit, an Nfuiri's  which follows the commandments of a palero.
The setting of the book takes place in Spanish Harlem and a few flashbacks to Puerto Rico. One flashback to Puerto Rico is when it traces how Fina was born from bones and skull in the countryside of the Island. Palero Tata Victor brings her bones to Spanish Harlem, re burried and "seasoned" them in Central Park. He makes the Spirits into his servant Nfuiris.
Later into the book, a violent act in Spanish Harlem forces Fina to be cut or be turned into a Palo. Fina must make a big decision if she would like to take part in the fundamental ritual of Afro carribbean and Palo religions which is possession. The type of possession that is described in this novel is playful and sensual union between spirits and humans.